The following was recently posted in the Argentine visas thread:
HoboZero said:
I wanted to add that I've been here doing the 90 crossing for three years, and was told, angrily I should add, last weekend by the argentine immigrations officer that the laws are changing and a tourist visa is just that and can't be renewed indefinitely. She told me that it was the last time I'd be granted admission.
I've heard that the crackdown was coming. They were going to institute a $135 dollar entrance fee this year, but it never came to fruition. I understand that this is still the plan. It's a matter of when not if.
I'm pursuing a temporary residency now am interested if anyone has gotten one under the "rentista" option. I've got some savings, but can't demonstrate income.
And I made the following posts in the (now closed) "Tourist visa renewal, renewal, and renewal..." thread:
(Quote:Originally Posted by cujodu)
Hi, I'm from the USA but have spent a lot of time in Argentina over the past several years. I have 7 pages of stamps from Argentina and Uruguay.... a few weeks in 2005, 6 months over 2 trips in 2006/2007, and now I've been here since March 2008. I go to Colonia every 3 months to renew the visa. (End Quote)
My reply:
"It isn't necessary to go Colina every three months.
Migraciones routinely grants a 90 day extension of the "tourist visa" at their office on Antardida in Puerto Madera.
Had you done this in the past you would only have half as many stamps in your passport..IF they grant the extension more than once.
As you have already gone back and forth so many times they might ask questions, too. Nonetheless, it's probably worth a try. If they say no here, you will have to go to Colonia again, but in that case you may face more questions coming back..
Another member of the forum once posted that the law states that foreigners may not stay in Argentina more than six months a year without a resident visa. If that's the case, the immigration authorities here have been "soft" on enforcement for quite a while, but they certainly know what's going on.
If they do crack down in the future, they still might let you back in for an additional 90 days, but could write in your passport that it's the "last" time they will allow it until you have stayed out of the country for six months."
(Quote:Originally Posted by mopo )
I didn't know that Steveinbsas. So what i have to do is go to Migration office and they will extend my visa without any problem (it will be the first time!!)? (End Quote)
My reply:
"It will be the first time you have requested the prorrogas de permanencia at the office in Argentina, but all the stamps in your passport clearly show what you have been doing. I've been told that it isn't "legal" FOR FOREIGNERS to be here more than six months per year. While it's obvious that migraciones hasn't been strict about enforcing that regulation with those who are going back and forth to Uruguay twice a year (in your case four times per year?), they could just as easily say no to the 90 day extension here.
Quote:Originally Posted by Stanexpat
A tourist visa is valid for a short stay for the purpose of tourism. It's not valid for the purpose of living in Argentina as a resident. Given this they could deny a renewal and not allow you entry to the country. A lot of people think they are legal by getting the 90 tourist renewal, they aren't.(end quote)
If they decide to enforce the rules you would have a problem. I don't know how likely this is.
Stan is right about the purpose of the tourist visa, but it IS perfectly legal to get the 90 day extension at office of immigration in Puerto Madera, at least once in a one year period. Apparently, not so many know of this option.
Perhaps it isn't legal to leave the country after those six months only to reenter immediately on another tourist visa, but it obviously continues to be done on a regular basis."
Now it looks like the days (if not years) of endless renewal are coming to an end.